Static electric machine.



No. 873,178. PATENTED DEG. Io, 1907.

W. o. sEINN. STATI@ ELECTRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FIIIED APB..22.1907. A

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73 Snom/dot .No. 873,1784 v PATENTED DEC. 10, 1907.

y W.- C. SHINN.

STATIC ELECTRIC MACHINE.

APPLIOATIQN rILnD APB.22,1907.

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No. 873,178. PATENTED DBC. 1C, 1907.

W. C. SHINN.

STATIC ELECTRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APILZZ, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

4No. 873,178. PATENTED DEC. 1C, 1907.

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STATIC ELECTRIC MACHINE.

PPLIOATION FILED APB.. 22,l1907.

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u 7b '8885 @di WILLIAM C. SHINN, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

sTA'rIC ELECTRIC MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1907.

Application filed April 22. 1907. Serial No. 369.456.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that WlLLIAM C. SHINN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska,has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Static ElectricMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in static electric machines ofthe class designed to illustrate the phenomena of lightning, or electricstorms, and has especial reference to novel features of convenience andeffectiveness of operation for demonstrating these phenomena, includingrmeans for readily connecting or disconnecting the operating parts and.controlling the equalizer-combs exteriorly of the case means forcorrecting alinement of the rotatable plates with reference to thestationary plates; the use of a removable, apertured face for the casein connection with removable, horizontal conductorarms for the slidableelectrodes; metal connection for the switch through the case from theLeyden jars, employment of an adjustable platform in connection with apivotallymounted, vertical standard for preventing vibration of theinduction-plates; means for oiling, exteriorly of the case, the bearingsof the rotatable-plates, and the use of metal spreading -plates orspreading blocks between the induction plates, these metal blocks beingin electrical communication with the armatures of the induction-platesand with the brush-arms.

It has been the aim, in the present invention to provide as compact amachine as possible, consistent with proper insulation and effectivenessfor the generation, storage and discharge of electricity'.

lith these and other objects in view, the invention presents a novelconstruction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described, pointedout by the appended claims and as illustrated in the drawings, whereinf-Figure 1 represents a vertical front view of a static electric machineembodying my invention, the sides and top of the case being in section.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the case being insection. Fig'. 3 is a sectional view, transversely, through the centerof Fig. 1, looking to the right.Y Fig. 4 is a somewhat similar view tothat shown in Fig. 2, the adjustable platform being removed andequalizer arms broken away to disclose the preferred construction. Figs.5 and 6 are views of details relating to Fig. 4, partly in section toclearly illustrate means for adjustment of the vertical standard. Fig. 7is a perspective exterior view of the case, a wire fence insulated upona metal plate, certain electrical connections and an interposed object.Fig. 8 is a view, partly in section, of one of the vertical supportingposts, and showing an end view of a collector-arm and a portion of thebase of the inclosing case, introduced to show insulation, and relativeposition of parts. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a slidable arm of anelectrode, its sleeve and one of the horizontallydisposedconductor-arms, its insulated part being partly in section. Fig. 10 is aperspective view of the invention, showing horizontally disposedconducting rods traversing the glass front of the case, means forsupporting the disk-carrying balancing-rod, and an interposed objectsupported between the disk and one of the conducting-rods. Fig. 11 is aperspective view of a part yof the inclosing case. Fig. 12 is a planview of one of the brush-arms and one of the spreadingblocks, certainparts being in section to illustrate preferred means for mounting ofparts. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a part of the base of theinclosing case, showing controlling means for the equalizer-arms mountedthereon. Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are views of details relating tobearings for the horizontally disposed conductor rods or arms, and meansfor preventing a rotative movement of these rods; Figs. 14 and 18showing these parts mounted upon a fragment of the glass face of theinclosing case. Fig. 19 is a vertical front view of the induction platesto clearly show extensions 46 of the armatures.

Referring now to the drawings for a more particular description, thecharacter A indicates an inclosing case having sides 1 and 2, the top 3and back 4, these parts of the case preferably being secured togethervand conveniently removable, as a unit, from base 5 when occasionrequires; and it may be said that nearly all of the devices presently tobe described are secured upon this base within the inclosing case; thiscase is provided with the closure or glass face 6 in frame 6', readilyremovable, since it is held by pins 7 engaging the base 5 and by ears Sat the top of the case.

The glass closure 6 has apertures 9 and 10 formed there-through aboutmidway its height, for insertion therein of the pair of adjacently andhorizontally disposed conducting-rods indicated at 11 and 12, presentlyto be described more in detail; these rods may lbe operatively placedfrom the exterior of the may be easily carried or moved, handle 15.

being provided for this purpose, and, since by its use it is subject tochanges in degrees of dampness, and rough usage, devices are employedcalculated to reduce vibration of certain parts, to add insulation toother parts and to render the machine portable and convenient.

At the longitudinal center and upon the rear of base 5 is secured thevertical standard 16, as by means of the screw-pivot 17 (Figs. 3, 6),and traversing and ,supported by this standard is the stationary sleeve18 (Figs. 3, 4) this sleeve being extended substantially to the centerof the machine to furnish a seating for the horizontal operating shaft19; and near the inner end of this shaft is rigidly seated the sleeve20, having upon one of its ends thev collar or flange 21. I employ theusual circular rotatable glass plates 22 and 23. Plate 22 has a seatingin contact with flange 21 upon one end of sleeve 20, and near theopposite end of this'sleeve is seated the rotatable plate 23, a rim orsleeve 24y being interposed between the plates; jamnut 25, having athreaded connection with sleeve 20, is employed bv which ,a secureseating. is made forl the rotatable platesupon said sleeve 20.4

As a means for rotating` shaft 19, I employ the customary pulley 26provided with the handle 27, this pulley being mounted upon verticalstandard 16. Pulley 28, having an integral sleeve 29issecured upon shaft19 and lby any connecting means as by cord 30, a manual rotation ofpulley 26 will cause rotation, in either direction, of the operatingshaft.

I employ two induction plates 31 and 32 referably of glass, of equalwidth and ength, and place them paralleland adjacent upon insulatingblocks 33 (Figs. 3, 4), the latter being secured upon base 5; theseblocks have their upper faces chamfered, as shown in Fig. 3, to containthe lower edges of said lates, the upper edges of the plates being fieldin the chamfered part 34. (Fig. 3) of the lower face of the holdingstrip 35 of the adjustable platform 36, best shown in Fig. 2, this stripand platform both being of nonconducting material. Strip 35 extendslengthwise of the stationary plates' a sufficient distance to have anadequate bearing, as shown .position paralle means of the slot 39 formedin platform 36 and keeper or screw 40 therein secured upon the top ofstandard 16.

In order that rotatable plates 22 and 23 maybe adjusted to a positionparallelwith the inner stationary plates, standard 16 is pro- A videdwith the pivotal mounting 17 already mentioned, and I employ the angularbracket 41 having one leaf thereof secured upon the vertical wall ofstandard 16, its horizontal leaf having a slot 42 formed therein,extending` parallelwith sleeve 18 and shaft 19, the slot of course,being transversely formed with reference to the rotatable plates, and,as is apparent, by means of the keeper or screw 43 which traverses slot42 and lis secured in base 5, the rotatable lates may be adjusted to alpwith the stationary plates. The means for adj ustment just describedprevents any possible contact, during rotation,

of the' two outer plates with the stationary one end of whichtransversely traverses aperture 50 formed in the front induction plate32 to a threaded connection 51 with the spreading-block.

- I provide the hood 52 of non-conducting material, having a threadedconnection at 53 with metal brush-arms 49, the latter being bent tooverhang the outer parts of rotatable plate 23, and extended to aposition vertically adjacent the armatures of the induction plates. Thefree end of the brush-arms preferably have metal disks 54 securedthereon, and transversely therethrough is held the metal brush 55 havingpreferably upon its outer end the non-conducting knob 56; and upon theouter face of disk 54 is secured, of non-conducting material, the disk57. As described, the arrangement of parts is considered highlyefficient to prevent escape of electricity from the induction plates, asthe electric current does not pass adjacent to any exposed surface, andby this arrangement a rigidl seating may be obtained for the brusharm 49upon stationary plate 32, for hood 52 may be rotated in either directionupon the brush arm.

Numeral 58 indicates any pliable non-conducting substance used as a diskand interposed between the base of the hood and the induction plate; thebody of the metal brush-arm 49 is preferably insulated, as indicated. at59.

Near the front of the base 5 and adjacent the ends thereof are securedthe vertical, nonconducting posts 60, their upper ends terminatingabout` half the height of the machine; these pos-Lis are rovided withmetal balls 61 secured upon t ieir upper ends and each of said balls areapertured horizontally at 62 (Fig. 8) to receive a horizontally disposedmetal supporting rod or arm 63 of one of the U-shaped metalcollector-arms 64, one of these collector-arms being positioned atopposite ends of the machine; each of the collector-arms is horizontallydisposed to overhang the outer faces of the rotatable plates and. isprovided u ith a series of transversely mounted and inwardly extendingteeth each collector-arm vhas a metallic connection with a Leyden jar65, by means of wires 66 which are preferably insulated throughout theirlengths except at points of contact 67 with the collector-arms, and Ipreferably use nonconducting caps 68 upon the free ends of thecollector-arms. To secure supporting-arms 463 within balls 61, I employthe screws 69,

preferably having non-conducting thumbpieces 70.

The metal electrodes 13 and 14 are disposed upon substantially the samehorizontal plane parallel with the face of the case, and are slidablewithin metal sleeves 71 in directions toward and from each other; theyare preferably provided withmetal balls 72 .upon their inner ends andhandles 73 of insulating material u on their outer ends; and sleeves 71are pre `erably provided with metal balls 74 having a threadedconnection as at 47 (Fig. 9) with conducting-rods 11 and 1.2.

In order that electrodes 13 and 14 may be preserved parallel ithreference to each Vther and to prevent them from swinging downward, Iprovide the arts shown in detail by Figs. 14 to 18 pre erably usingnonconducting material therefor. I form angular longitudinal walls 75upon and near the inner end of each conducting-rod 11 and 12 (Fig. 9),the said angular walls 75 adapted to have a seating in ltheangularly-formed apertures 76 of plug 77 (Figs. 16, 17, 18). l Plugs 77have a threaded ortion 78 traversing apertures 9 and 10 oft e glass faceof the inclosing case; and upon portions 78 compression burs or nuts 79may be screwed so that plugs 77 may have a degree of compression uponthe glass sufficient to cause a rigid seating and prevent any rotativemovement of the plugs or of the conducting-rods seated. therein.Apertures 9 and 10 of the glass face 6 are immediately and horizontallyadjacent apertures 80 in balls 61 upon supporting posts 60, and whenconducting rods 11 and 12 are passed through apertures 76 of the plugs,a metallic contact is reliably made, since ends 81 of theconducting-rods enter apertures 80. Conducting-rods 11 and 12 havenon-conducting coverings 82 for that portion of their bodies exterior ofthe case, and their inner ends make contactwith the outer face of plugs77.

The arrangement of the parts just described affords a very convenientmeans for readily and effectively placing the electrodes l in electricalconnection with the electrical storage means, or for disconnecting thesame, and by reason of the arrangement and construction described,insulation of the parts may be, and in the present instance, have beeneffected in a degree so that, there is practically no escape ofelectricity even when generating the more powerful charges.

The two Leyden jars are connected by parts which vare whollyunobtrusive, being entirely within the case, except the switch. A metalplate 83 (Figs. 1, 2, 4) is connected to each Leyden jar, and passesoutwardly to make contact with metal plates 84 and 84 secured upon theinner face of sides 1 and 2 of the inclosing case (Fig. 11); upon thetop of the inclosing case I provide a metal bar 85 slidable in met albrackets 86 and 87 and provided with the non-conducting handle 88. Metalstrands 89 and 90, properly insulated, but making contact respectively,with metal plates 84 and 84 pass upwardly upon the inner face of sides 1and 2, and pass toward each other upon the inner face of top 3 to makemetal contact with brackets 86 and. 87 by passing through the top of thecase. The switch is thus conveniently under ready control of an oerator, and by closing the switch the force of) the discharges may beincreased for the purpose of demonstrating the effects of electricalstorms or other uses of the machine.

Secured upon and at the front of top 3 of the inclosing case is themetal socket 91 (Fig. 10); I employ the curved metal swinging-rod 92having one end seated. in this socket its opposite end being providedwith the hook 93 and the non-conducting tip or handle 94. I employ thebalancing-rod 95, also of metal, having the slidable weight 96 thereon.Rod 95 has a curved part 97 near its middle, and has a hook, 98 formedupon its end opposite to weight 96. Upon hook 98 is supported a metaldisk 99 intended to represent a cloud, this disk having a metallicconnection with rod 95 and non-conducting tips 100 are secured upon theends of this rod.

I provide recesses at 101 and 101 in the upper part of balls 74 of thehorizontallydisposed conducting-rods 11 and 12 and seat in one of theserecesses, as shown in Fig. 10, the metal pin 102. Upon the curved arm 92is secured the metal socket 103, adapted to sustain themetal strand 104which, properly insulated, is extended to a connection with pin 102. Inrecess 101 in the ball of the ad-L jacent conductingrod,. I insert thelmetal arm 105 upon which is supported the metal plate 106, and upon thisplate is seated any desired object, as the house 107. By theconstruction just described, arm 92 is under ready control of theoperator, and the cloud or disk 99 may be electrically charged with onesign of electricity. The disk may be moved to a position above thehouse, the latter being upon plate 106 which is electrically chargedwith the opposite sign, and the destruction of property by lightningmaythus be clearly demonstrated.

As another illustration, and to demonstrate loss of live-stock in afield, I employ a horizontally-disposedmetal plate 108 to indicate afield or the earth, and provide insulated posts 109 seated thereon,these posts being connected by wire 110, said wire having electricalcommunication as by metal strand 1 1 1 l with pin 101 charged byelectricity of one sign.

strand 113, to pin 101.

Upon the metal plate charged by electricity of the opposite sign isplaced an object, as the horse 112, this object being used since horsesor cattle have a habit of apj reaching a fence during an electricalstorm. Flate 108 is electrically connected by metal Since posts 109 arenon-conductors, electricity will not pass from the fence wire to plate108, but may pass from the fence wire to this plate, using the horse asa conductor or medium.

The equalizer combs found generallyI upon static electric machines, areindicated by numerals 114, and are secured upon rear equalizer-arms 115and front equalizer-arms 116.

Metal brushes carried by th'e front equalizerarms are indicated at a,and are disposed immediately adjacent the rotatable plate 23, and areprovided, preferably, with insulating tips b. Arms 115 are preferablyconstructed as a part of sleeve 117, said sleeve being secured rigidlyupon stationary sleeve 18. I provide sleeve 118 seated rotatably uponthe front end of shaft 19 and secured thereon by means of screw 119 5and upon this sleeve is secured the front equalizer-arms.

The equalizer-arms 116 upon their sleeve 118 may have a limited swing onshaft 19 to reduce or increase the friction field of the adjacentplates, and While using the machine adjustments of these arms arefrequently made. Since the inclosing parts of the case are very rarelyremoved from the base, an arrangement is made for convenientlycontrolling said arms 116 from the exterior of the case to allow agreater degree of swinging movement for these arms than heretofore hasbeen shown. For this purpose I employ shaft 120 having the exteriorAthumb-piece 121, said shaft assing transversely upon the floor of base5 om the rear of the case (Fig. 2, 13), and secured to the floor by anysuitable means, as by bearings 122. Upon the inner end of shaft 120 issecured a transverse arm 123, and I supply the link 124 having pivotalend-connections with the outer end of arm 123 and with the end of thelower equalizer-arm 116, the parts thus described, operate to provide'acrank movement `for a complete control of the front equalizer-arms.Since the weight of lthe parts just mentioned is supported upon thebase, it aids in lowering the center of gravity, this being important ina portable machine.

The entire weight of the rotatable plates and the several sleevesconnected therewith is supported by the horizontal shaft 19, and

for this reason sleeve 18 has a considerable length. Lubricating oilshould therefore be distributed through the inner end of sleeve 18, bothon account of the considerable length of the bearing and for the reasonthat flange 21 has a bearing upon the end of sleeve 18, and therefore Iyprovide the oilduct 125 passing parallel with sleeve 18 from itsorifice 126 with a downward inclination to traverse the inner 'end ofsaid sleeve as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The case has recesses 127 and128 formed in back 4 (Fig.

11), and when securing the inclosing-case upon the base, sleeve 29 ofpulley 28 has a seatingin this recess, which is a very convenientarrangement, since the ypulleys do not have to be removed.- The outerend of oil-duct 125 also is disposed within recess 127, and lubricatingoil may therefore be applied cxteriorly of the case. Theouter end ofshaft 120 for the equalizerarms is disposed within recess 128.

I'Iaving explained the fu'nction of most of the parts of the machine, adiscription of operation is not necessary. A manual rotation of pulley26 willcause generation of static electricity, the electrical chargesbeing collected by arms 64, positive electricity being stored in one ofthe Leyden jars and negative electricity being storedin the other ofsaid ars, and by use of the devices shown as discharging means, avariety of electrical effects may be demonstrated.

I/Vhile I have explained full details of construction, it is consideredthat certain of said details may be omitted or changed without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, and I do not limit myself to the cx.-actnessV shown, the scope of the invention depending upon the claims.

What I claim as my invention is,-

1 1. In a static electric machine, the com-A bination with staticelectrical generating means, l means for storage of electrical chargesand a receptacle adapted to contain j tive mounting for said circularplates; means said electrical generating and storage means g saidreceptacle provided with a verticallyfor lateral adjustment of saidcircular plates comprising a bracket having a wing thereof disposedglass face having transverse aperf secured upon said vertical standardand havtures therein, said transverse apertures being provided withangul'arly-formed, longitudinal walls; horizontally-disposedconducting-rods in communication with said electrical storage means andhaving near their inner ends angularly-formed faces thereon seatedwithin the angularly-formed longitudinal walls o'f said apertures formedin the face or' said receptacle.

2. In a static electric machine, the combination with static electricalgenerating means, means for storage of electrical charges and areceptacle adapted to contain said electrical generating and storagemeans; said receptacle provided with a vertical closure havingtransverse apertures formed therein, said transverse apertures of saidvertical closure being provided with angularly-forrned inner walls;horizontally-disposed conductingrods in communication with saidelectrical storage means, said horizontally-disposed conducting-rodshaving angularly-formed contact-faces traversing the transverseapertures of saidv closure; a air of dischargingrods disposedsubstantially parallel with reference to each other transversely andslidably seated in connection with said conducting-rods exteriorly ofand horizontallyadjacent to said vertical closure.

3. A static electric machine as described,

in combination, comprising friction electric-` generating means,electric storage means, non-conducting sleeves, removable nonrotativemounting; a case adapted to contain said friction electric-generatingand storage means and-having an insulated, apertured face-closure;vertlcal non-conducting supporting posts within said case disposedadjacent said insulated apertured face-closure and having upper metalterminals in communication with said electric storage means; metalconducting-rods within said non-conducting sleeves horizontally disposedexteriorly of said case and traversing the apertured face of saidclosure through said removable non-rotative mounting to have electricalcommunication with the metal terminals of said non-conducting supportingposts within said case and slidable electrical discharging-armsexteriorly of the case in connection with said metalhorizontally-disposed conducting-rods.

4. A static electric machine as described, in combination; a suitableinclosing case, inner stationary induction plates vertically securedadjacent the base of the inclosing case 5 circular plates disposedoutwardly and adj acently with reference to said inner stationaryinduction plates; a pivotally mounted vertical standard; a shafttransversely mounted in said standard to furnish a rotaing a slot formedin the opposite wing thereof with a keeper therein in connection withthe base of said inclosing case electrical storage means 5 brush-bearingarms overhanging one of the circular plates and secured upon saidinduction plates electrical collector-combs in communication with saidelectrical storage means and mounted within operative proximity to saidcircular plates and horizontally disposed electrical discharging meansdisposed exteriorly of the inclosing case and in communication withsaid. electrical collector-combs.

5. A static electric machine as described, in combination, electricalstorage devices 5 electrical discharging devices in electricalcommunication with said electrical storage devices; electricalgenerating devices in electrical communication with said electricalstorage devices and comprising inner stationary plates and outerrotatable plates disposed operatively adjacent thereto 5 said innerstationary plates bearing segmental armatures with metalspreading-blocks disposed therebetween; angular brush-arms secured tosaid metal spreading-blocks by transversely traversing one of the innerstationary plates and disposed to overhang one of said rotatable plates,electrical collectorcombs in communication with electrical storage meansand mounted within operative proximity to said rotatable plates.

6. A static electric machine as described, in combination; an inclosingcase having a glass face, electrical storage devices; electricalgenerating devices in communication with said electrical storage devicesand comprising inner stationary plates and outer rotatable platesdisposed operatively adjacent thereto, said inner stationary platesbearing segmental armatures with metal spreadingblocks disposedtherebetween angular brusharms secured to said metal spreading-blocks bytransversely traversing one of the inner stationary plates, and disposedin a manner to overhan one of said rotatable plates electrical colector-combs in communication with said electrical storage devices andmounted within operative proximity to said rotatable plates; andhorizontally-disposed non-rotative conducting rods exteriorly of theinclosing case traversing said glass face to an electrical communicationwith said electrical storage devices.

In testimony whereof he has affixed his signature in presence ofwitnesses.

VILLIAM C. SHINN.

Wvitnesses:

CLAUDE S. WILsoN, WILEY RAY YOUNG, CLARK G. THOMAS.

